Does Dabrafenib Plus Trametinib Offer Survival Benefits

Anon, you might want to include some of the data coming out of the newest targeted therapy combination Encorafenib/Binimetinib, kind of making dab/tram look bad!!! https://www.onclive.com/web-exclusives/encorafenib-binimetinib-combo-continues-to-show-survival-benefit-in-braf-mutant-melanoma

I am here to answer this YES! I went from stage 3 to stage 4 with 2 brain mets. I immediately started the Dabrafenib/Trametinib combo and did SRS. Seven months later my brain mets had resolved. I stayed on the combo for a full 2 years. This October will be my 3 yr anniversary of being NED. A complete, long term response can happen. (I’m cautiously optimistic about the long term part)
My Oncologist at MD Anderson was on the study for the two new BRAF+ drugs and she was Extremely excited about them. Less adverse effects and no fasting involved are two very big pluses besides the efficacy.
I may be an outlier but I had low tumor burden and normal LDH going for me.

In comparison to what? To chemotherapy or vemurafenib alone – yes. In comparison to immune checkpoint inhibitors, we do not know. Sadly, the randomized head to head clinical trial of these treatments is unlikely to ever be done (or at least not soon), so we will continue to not know.

Melanoma is never simple and clinical trials are rarely set up as I would run them!! HA! Both huge understatements, right? Here’s my take on the Columbus trial and links to additional data for targeted therapy: https://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2018/03/encorafenib-plus-binimetinib-better.html

For what it’s worth.

And while it is true that for many (if BRAF positive) targeted therapy provides a miraculous response though often with limited durability. However, there are some for whom it is an amazing long term fix. Richard_K is one!! https://melanoma.org/legacy/find-support/patient-community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/vemurafenib-question

Best wishes to you all. celeste